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Frontex begins testing unmanned aircraft for border surveillance

2018-09-27

This week, Frontex, the European Border and Coast Guard Agency,
has begun testing the use of Remotely Piloted Aircraft Systems (RPAS) in Greece,
Italy and Portugal to monitor the European Union’s external borders.

Frontex is exploring the surveillance capability
of the medium altitude long endurance RPAS and evaluating the related cost
efficiency and endurance. The agency will test the unmanned aircraft in several
operational situations. These include surveillance of the sea, support of
Search and Rescue operations, detection of vessels suspected of criminal
activities, such as drug and weapon smuggling and information sharing with multiple
users in real time.

In
Greece, the trial that started this week is supported by the Hellenic Coast
Guard, in cooperation with the Hellenic Civil Aviation Authority and Air Force.
In Italy, the trial, which is in its last phase of preparations, will be supported
by Polizia di Stato and Guardia di Finanza.

The RPAS
being tested by Frontex carry surveillance equipment, including thermal cameras
and radars. The testing in Greece and Italy is scheduled to be completed this
year.

In
Portugal, the agency is using a smaller unmanned aircraft to monitor the
North Atlantic Ocean and share this information in real time. This capability allows
Frontex and national authorities to react more quickly to cross-border crime,
especially drug smuggling.

In Portugal, Frontex is working together with
the European Maritime Safety Authority (EMSA), which provides the RPAS to
Frontex there. The agency is also cooperating with the Portuguese Guarda
Nacional Republicana (GNR), Navy and Air Force. The operation will be remotely
coordinated from the Frontex Situational Centre in Poland by both Frontex
experts and Portuguese authorities.